I took over
Mr. Copp describes attacking and securing a position at Vimy Ridge and notes the heavy German death toll.
John Percy Copp
First name
John Percy
Last name
Copp
Gender
M
City
Baie Verte
Province
New Brunswick
Biography
John Percy Copp was born on February 2, 1889 at Baie Verte, New Brunswick. He enlisted in the 65th Battalion at Saskatoon. Shortly thereafter, in June, 1916 he went overseas to England, training for a very short time at Camp Bramshott. On August 10, 1916 he shipped to France as a member of B Company, 46th Battalion. Mr. Copp held the rank of Lieutenant and led his men in several major actions: Ypres, the Somme, Lens and Vimy. He was awarded the Military Cross by King George V at Buckingham Palace. His story is most compelling, for in it his concern for his men is the predominant theme. At the time of his interview, Mr. Copp lived in Lajolla, California.
People old ID
416
People Language
E
The shell went into my skull
Mr. Copp describes a reconnaissance mission during which he suffers a head wound from shrapnel. While convalescing in England, he is invited to Buckingham Palace where he is awarded the Military Cross by King George V.
In the mud
Mr. Copp describes the effects of fatigue depleting his Company’s ranks during a forced march to Mametz after five days in action at the Somme.
Shell through the roof
Mr. Copp gives us insight into the irony of war. He describes how he and his men safely advance to their objective amidst a shelling, only to lose men to a direct shell hit as they are transporting a wounded soldier to safety.
Minenwerfers
Mr. Copp describes an unexploded German shell landing in their field kitchen. Feeling his men are too exhausted, he removes the danger himself.
He fell dead at my feet
Mr. Copp describes one deadly day in the trenches: a soldier killed by a sniper, another by shrapnel, a corporal going crazy from shell shock, and two of his men killed by a direct artillery hit.
Hellfire Corner
Mr. Copp describes his platoon’s first experience in action, being shelled, and describes his efforts to care for five resulting casualties.
Forced march to Ypres
Mr. Copp describes carrying the kit for two of his men (plus his own) who would have been too exhausted to otherwise proceed on the forced march to Ypres.